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Along the irrigation canal facing the Dents du MidiPhoto: Gaëtan Tornay, Pays du St-Bernard
This north-facing trail is often well snow-covered. It climbs to the entrance of the Val d'Arpette and reaches the Relais d'Arpette before descending along the Champex bisse.
This route allows you to discover the wild character of the Val d'Arpette, a small protected valley away from Champex-Lac. With the hotel-restaurant Relais d'Arpette situated midway, you have an ideal place for a welcome break with the Col des Ecandies in front of you, a very popular ski route. It is in the Val d'Arpette that the Durnand stream originates and flows down toward Martigny through the famous Durnand Gorges.
After this pleasant stop, you first return to the right bank of the Champex-Lac bisse before crossing it and following it on the left bank; a magnificent moment with the soft sound of water accompanying you until the end of the ski slopes and the Breya chairlift.
Author’s recommendation
The Val d'Arpette is a wild paradise in winter but also in summer. It is a very popular alternative for hikers on the Tour du Mont-Blanc!
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Relais d'ArpetteSafety information
Using the routes and information on this website is the responsibility of each hiker. On-site conditions may lead to route changes. The Pays du St-Bernard declines any liability regarding the accuracy and completeness of the website information.
• Carry a map. Download the complete route description with a large-scale map by clicking the "print" icon at the top right of the page.
• Only use marked paths and obey all signage – for your safety, livestock protection, and to avoid disturbing wild animals.
• Be respectful of other users as well as plants and animals. Do not litter in nature.
• Pay particular attention to protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV rays can be very strong even on cloudy days.
• Plan your hike carefully: consider the physical level of each participant, the weather forecast, and the season.
• Weather conditions can change rapidly and unexpectedly in the mountains. It is essential to have suitable clothing and sufficient reserves of food and water. In case of uncertain weather, turn back in time.
• Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
• Pay attention to hazard warning signs, especially avalanche danger.
• Inform your relatives about your route and, as much as possible, prefer hiking in groups.
Tips and suggestions
See the itinerary on SuisseMobile: no. 420: https://www.schweizmobil.ch/fr/schneeschuhwandern/trails-d/route-0420.html
Learn more about the destination Pays du St-Bernard: www.saint-bernard.ch
Roadbook
From the Champex télé bus stop, follow the road and the cross-country ski trail on the left heading northwest. Then take the forest road westward, which rises gently for about 700 meters. The route leaves the road 100 meters after the bridge spanning the Durnand stream, still heading west, while the road continues north. The path climbs through the forest, then rejoins the road heading south/southwest to reach the Relais d'Arpette.
Then cross the stream to go to the right bank and follow the sled track for 100 meters. Turn left to follow the stream and cross it several times until the water intake of the bisse. Follow the path east along the left bank of the bisse up to the ski trail and thus reach the bottom station of the Breya chairlift.
Relais d'Arpette
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
From Martigny, take the train to Sembrancher then Orsières. Then take the bus to Champex Télé. Check the schedules on www.cff.ch
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Exit the motorway at Martigny at interchange 22-Gd-St-Bernard. Use the right lane to follow E27 towards Chamonix/Gd-St-Bernard/Verbier/Martigny-Expo. At the exit of the Martigny bypass tunnel, take the direction Grand-Saint-Bernard/Italy, then exit the main road at Orsières and follow Champex-Lac.
It is also possible to leave the main road at Bovernier and go through Les Valettes but the road is narrower and very winding.
Parking
Large free parking at the foot of the Breya chairlift, at the start of the route.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo map 282S Martigny
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
We recommend:
• Good waterproof shoes
• Snowshoes
• Walking poles
• Clothing adapted to the weather and cold: always have a waterproof jacket
• Hat or cap
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle, packed lunch
• Camera
• Printed version of the itinerary (click on "print" to download)
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions